So, I have been in a flare since Feb, 2006! First my Doc wanted to do the Pred route to "shock" my system back because I had been in remission for over 3 years. Well that went well until I got below 4 mg. pred and then my RA came back worse than before. Since that time he has slowly been increasing the MTX. I am now up to 15mg. (just increased) with 2.5 mg. pred and I don't think this stuff is working at all. All fingers are swollen and my right foot (near toe/joint area) and ankle are very swollen, plus both wrists (and 3 lovely nodules to boot). I just saw him last week and he agreed I was worse than I was 3 months ago. So, he increased the MTX from 12.5 to 15 mg. I see him in another 3 months. So, how long will it take till I know if this stuff works? I am considering getting a 2nd opinion, but my DR comes highly recommeneded from multiple sources.
Hi Poof,
A second opinion can never hurt. What's wrong with two good doctors coming to a conclusion? Perhaps another will see a symptom from a different perspective. I say go for it!
PS I'm very sorry you're not feeling well. Take care.
Hi, I'm up to 20 mgs of MTX, and going down with the prednisone (3-1/2 today, but had to add one this afternoon, when my right fingers were hurting and swollen, my wrist feels sprained, ugh.), No MTX until Tuesday (it always feels like I need it several days before it is time to take it.....).
I wouldn't wait 3 months to see a Doctor whether it is the old or the new one, YOU NEED HELP, Sarah
Have you and your RD discussed adding a biologic to the mix? You've been in a flare for a long time....believe me I know I've been in one for 3 years! RA finally has quieted down and I have no inflammation or swelling and little pain but it's taken 3 years, 3 RDs, 2 internist, and 2 hospitalizations to get to this point. Am on 17.5 of MTX and 500 mg. Remicade every 5 weeks and it's finally working. I can wear my original wedding ring again. I don't think I'd wait another 3 months to see my RD. Keep us posted. Lindy Thanks for the advice. One more question, I know planquenil takes 4-6 months to kick in, what about MTX? How long till you know it won't work?My rheumy told me 3 months for the mtx. I agree though, it sounds like you may need to add humira or enbrel to the mix, I vote for the second opinion. Its easy for the dr to say, try this and come back in three months but before you know it, it has been years and you still feel awful. You are the one LIVING those three months each time, not your doctor!!! I would LOVE to be able to switch bodies with my doctor for 24 hours and them have them tell me to give it ANOTHER three months!!!! Sorry, didn't mean for that to sound so grumpy! I over did it this weekend and I am really sore myself today!! here's hoping we all have better days to come!I was on MTX for about two years and got up to 17.5mg before my doctor added Humira. Six months later we had to increase that dosage to weekly. Meds often take some tweeking and it often takes repeated visits to acheive that goal. I don't think you nessesarilly need a second opinion.....but if you aren't feeling any better from the increase soon I'd call the RD's office and let him know you aren't getting the relief you'd hoped for. A second opinion is likely to only delay your treatment even further.
Have you gotten any relief from MTX at all? For me it worked well but after a while it wore off. A slight increase every time would hold things off for a while. If you haven't had any luck with MTX at all by the time you've gotten to 15mg I'm not sure it's going to help.
I have seen no relief from the MTX thus far. I am able to go to work, but I have no life. I am either sick, tired or sick from the meds on the weekend. My ankles and feet are like walking aorund with 20 lb. weights. I have had it!took me around 4 months once at a dose of 20 to get relief and it was good for about 2 years after that...then had to add humira...good luck and call that rheumy and up the pred till mtx kicks in...3 months is way too long to wait.
ginger
I was oneof the luckier ones that it took only three weeks. I started with .04 ( 10 mg). I was taking Plaquenil at the time ( for the past twelve years) and they may be what helped it to work so quickly.
When I went off of it for several weeks due to bronchitisI relapsed and, it took four to five weeks to kick-in again.